Sharks don't need goalies since we already have potential starters there and 8 goalies signed currently. We also have some ok defense prospects that should be second liners. We are just so weak on forward prospects that we are by far the worst overall.
1. D Simon Despres - top 4 d-man with decent offensive skill, but much better defensively 20-35 point projection.
2. D Joe Morrow - top 4 two-way d-man, but better offensively. 40-50 point projection.
3. F Beau Bennett - top 6 winger. 50-60 point projection
4. F Eric Tangradi - possibly a top 6 guy, but i have some doubts, should be a full time NHLer regardless of the line though. Could be anywhere from a 20-60 point producer as i said it'll depend where he ends up lines wise.
5. D Scott Harrington - most likely a #5 d-man and relied on defensively mostly.
I'll stop there as it gets weak after that in my opinion, but decent prospect pool. Can't blame them for not having a better one with a strong NHL team that is set for years more.
1. Jack Campbell - G
2. Scott Glennie - C
3. Jamie Oleksiak - D
4. Reilly Smith - RW
5. Alex Chaisson - RW
6. Matej Stransky - RW
7. Patrik Nemeth - D
8. Matt Fraser - LW
9. Austin Smith - RW
10. Brett Ritchie - RW
11. Brenden Dillon - D
12. Alex Guptill - LW
13. John Klingberg - D
14. Jyrki Jokipakka - D
15. Colton Sceviour - C
They have a very good group of prospects imo and I don't feel they are overrated at all. Any team with Granlund and Brodin in their prospect pool has a lot to be excited about.
1. Sven Bärtschi - Left Wing - Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
2. T.J Brodie - Defense - Calgary Flames (NHL)
3. Leland Irving - Goaltender - Calgary Flames/Abbotsford Heat (NHL/AHL)
4. Max Reinhart - Center - Kootenay Ice (WHL)
5. Roman Horak - Center - Calgary Flames (NHL)
6. Greg Nemisz - Center/Right Wing - Abbotsford Heat (AHL)
7. Micheal Ferland - Left Wing - Brandon Wheatkings (WHL)
8. John Gaudreau - Left Wing - Boston College (H-East)
9. Markus Granlund - Center/Left Wing - HIFK (SM-liiga)
10. Bill Arnold - Center - Boston College (H-East)
*If T.J Brodie and Roman Horak are no longer considered prosepcts, then slot two of the following players in place of them in the top 10.
Joey Leach - Defense - Kootenay Ice (WHL)
John Ramage - Defense - Wisconsin (WCHA)
Tyler Wotherspoon - Defense - Portland (WHL)
Paul Byron - Left Wing/Center - Abbotsford (AHL)
Laurent Brossoit - Goaltender - Edmonton (WHL)
Karri Ramo - Goaltender - Omsk Avangard (KHL)
Hamilton should make the transition to the NHL next year. The only thing that kept him off the squad this year was his weight - he needed to fill out into his increasing height. It also didn't hurt that he was under zero pressure to make a big impact for a team that had just won the Stanley Cup. How he fell to #9 last year in the draft is really surprising. He was the final draft pick acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Phil Kessel trade. He displays tremendous offensive skill from the backend
Knight was selected with the 2010 2nd round pick acquired in the Kessel trade with Toronto. He uses his size very well to attack the net in a bull rush style and has a nasty shot. How this kid wasn't invited to the combine is beyond me, because the video that he put out prior to the draft was quite impressive. He needs to work on his speed, however he has a very strong power stride. He possesses leadership skills and is being compared to a Ryan Callahan type of player. His bust level is low in that if he's not in the top 9, then he will surely be able to play a strong 4th line role. He was once again scratched off of the United States' Under-20 World Junior Championship team due to their questionable discrimination of not being too keen on displaying their best because of players choosing to go the CHL route.
Khoklachev, like all other Russian born players, has the KHL stigma attached to him and many have said that that is the only reason why his stock fell at the draft last year. Most scouting agencies / lists had him targeted between the middle to end of the 1st round. Being eligible for last years' draft by only days it could be argued that barring his freak lacerated kidney this season, he would almost assuredly be targeted as one of the premier players available in this year's (2012) draft. His offensive skill is undeniable, however he needs to work on his conditioning (appeared to be out of shape at last year's rookie camp). He has great hands, good playmaking ability, and a tremendous knack for the net. He played for Russia at this year's Under-20 World Junior Championships and finished with 5 points (4 goals, 1 assist) in 7 games.
Spooner was selected in the 2nd round of the 2010 draft and appears to be another Boston 2nd round steal (see: Bergeron, Lucic, and Krejci). If he can improve his defensive game and add a few more pounds, he's going to make it very tough on the Bruins to send him to Providence next year. He has excellent vision and superb play-making ability. In the few rookie games against the Islanders over the past two years, he's dazzled and made it very clear that he was the best player on the ice. He was also one of the last forwards cut in camp coming out of his draft year. The sky is the limit for this kid.
The only reason Söderberg is at #5 on my list is because he's a long shot to make the jump over the pond. If he intends or intended on joining the North American pro-leagues, he'd be listed much higher. On the Bruins board, he's been compared to the Yeti, Bigfoot, and other folk lore legends.
Khudobin was acquired last year in a trade with the Minnesota Wild due to their tremendous organizational depth at goalie. Although many would not consider him a prospect due to his age (25), he has only played in 6 NHL games (2-0, .860 GAA, .979 SV% and 4-0, 1.59 GAA, .942 SV%). He started the current AHL season off with some shaky performances, however as the season has worn on his play has improved (19-17-3, 2.60 GAA, .919 SV%). One could also argue that his mediocre play this season could be due to playing ‘tender for the underwhelming Providence Bruins (which is a whole different topic). Reports came in this past offseason that he would bolt to the KHL due to the goalie situation in Boston, however PC somehow convinced him to stay and inked him to a two year contract that is designed to end after Rask’s current contract and at the same time as the completion of Thomas’ contract. Recently, he suffered a wrist injury that has kept him out of play over the past few weeks, however he is scheduled to return sometime soon. With Rask down to injury and the Turco experiment failing miserably, it seems as if he will be given the chance to backup Thomas / give Thomas some rest in the stretch run of the regular season.
Chudinov turned out to be a surprise / steal (chosen in the 7th round in the 2010 draft) because I believe the Bruins selected him to encourage Alexandrov (who was just unloaded to the Islanders) to make the jump over to North America. While undersized, Chudinov plays a physical game that is unlike most Russians. He possesses some offensive skill that has really shown this current season (from all reports). While he was taken as a project pick, his certainty of playing in the NHL is unknown.
An NCAA UFA acquisition last year out of Miami Ohio (whom he captained), Camper was 5th in the NCAA last year in points. Upon arriving in Providence last year, Camper played in the final 3 games, registering a point in 2 of them. Along with Khudobin and Warsofsky, Camper has been another bright spot during another underwhelming Providence Bruins season. Although he is another undersized player in the Bruins’ system (5’9), Camper uses his size and speed well to create scoring chances. In his cup of coffee in Boston this year (that was short lived due to the trade deadline acquisition of Brian Rolston), Camper registered his first career NHL goal. While Boston appears to be set in the top 6 for years to come, and top heavy in terms of offensive talent joining the organization from the OHL, Camper is my darkhorse winger to make the Bruins out of camp next year.
Warsofsky is an undersized and speedy offensive defenseman who was acquired in the Sobotka trade with St. Louis. He played his collegiate years at BU and signed a contract with the Bruins organization after his NCAA season had come to an end last year. He's been a bright spot for the aforementioned underwhelming Providence Bruins team this year. He employs his good vision and shifty speed to enter the offensive zone quickly and could be used down the road as a powerplay specialist (Marc-Andre Bergeron lite). Though the Bruins appear to be set at defense for next season (Chara, Seidenberg, Ference, Boychuk, McQuaid, and most likely Hamilton), he could be called up should an injury occur ala Steven Kampfer (unless of course the Bruins decide to sign a veteran defenseman in the offseason).
Another 2nd round selection by the Bruins, Sauvé impressed last year down in Providence. However, that trend has not continued as he’s been slowed by injuries this season – limited to only 27 games. In those 27 games, he’s racked up 17 points. Along with Camper, Sauvé also had his first cup of coffee this year with the Bruins, in which he was injured (again). With the additions of Spooner, Knight, and the continuation of Camper, Sauvé should be able to put up dramatically better numbers in Providence next season. He has good speed, hands, and playmaking ability.
Once again, Cross is another 2nd round selection by the Bruins (it’s become quite the trend - he was selected in 2007). Cross captained the Boston College Eagles this year to both the Hockey East Championship as well as the Beanpot Championship (championship between all the Boston area schools). As a senior, Cross is expected to join Providence after his NCAA season has come to an end (BC is in NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship Tournament). All is good and well, however there are concerns over his knee injuries over the past few years. Until he joins the pro-game, it’s unknown how he will be able to adapt (being that quality NCAA defenseman are rare). Hopes are that he is able to join Providence and make a large impact on a mediocre backend that has seen its most promising incoming CHL defenseman be sent down to the ECHL (Ryan Button).
The reason for MacDermid making this list is simple: he appears ready to make the permanent jump to the big club in a fourth line role. Unlike the other players on this list, his game revolves around hitting, fighting, and more hitting – he simply hits everything and anyone out on the ice. In his first NHL shift (days ago), MacDermid chose to drop the gloves with Mike Rupp (yikes). If the agent of Dan Paille should get into Paille’s ear and tell him that he could demand 3rd line money this coming offseason, then MacDermid and his large frame (6’3, 205lbs) would slide nicely into the 4th line (replacing Paille).
Signed to an ELC this week as an UFA, Morrison was originally drafted by Philadelphia yet never signed to an ELC. Morrison has split his 57 games played this year between Saskatoon (2 games) and Vancouver (55 games), and put up respectable numbers (36-17, 2.68 GAA, .891 SV%). The Bruins organization is severely lacking in terms of goaltending potential in the future (with the exception of Khudobin, who I claimed many would not consider a prospect due to his age) and thus this is the main reason for including him on my list (along with Volden and Gothberg).
Volden was Mr. Irrelevant of the Boston Bruins’ organization in last year’s draft (he was chosen in the 6th round last year – Boston had traded their 7th round pick to Chicago in exchange for their 7th round pick in 2010. While Volden has had limited playing time for the Espoo Blues this season (he's jumped around their organization this season playing on their main team, their junior Under-20 team, being loaned out to Jokipojat of the Norway2 league, and playing for Norway's Under-20 team), reports of scouts who have seen him play seem to think he could be an NHL goalie someday in the future. Like Morrison and Gothberg (who I rank at #12 and #14 in the prospect rankings), Volden is on this list simply out of the lack of organizational depth in-between the pipes for the Bruins.
Gothberg is another project prospect in the Bruins organization. After playing for the Fargo Force of the USHL, Gothberg committed to the UND Fighting Sioux, where he hasn’t appeared in a game yet in his Freshman season. The reason for him making this list is simple: the lack of quality goaltenders in the Bruins organization. It’s going to be a long road for Gothberg to make the NHL, however he chose a great school in UND to help him develop his game that the Bruins seem to think he could flourish someday in the future.
great read and I like how you went into detail over many of the players past as well..
personally I think you have 2 absolute gems that will be in your top 10 by next year if not already.
Justin Florek and Zach Trotman. Trotman is a beast and is having a monster junior season at Lake Superior State...pure stud in the making..and he is going to make some people go how the hell did this kid get drafted in the last pick of the 2010 draft!
Florek is my main wildcard as this kid is so big, raw, and skilled that he could very well be a NHLer for you guys next year...had a great year for Northern Michigan, but I think he will be an even better pro..
in his first game with Providence, Florek has 2 goals and 2 assists!!!! I have no worries he can keep that pace up
It's been an extremely tough transition to professional hockey for Mitch Wahl.
Injuries (Concussions) have absolutely derailed his early career to this point, it's really unfortunate. For the first time in a while he has remained healthy, but is unable to play for Abbotsford as he was loaned to another team earlier in the season .
Basically he is stuck in the ECHL for the remainder of the season, as he is not eligible to be returned to AHL.
Tough situation for the kid. Next year will be a make or break for Wahl within our organization.
I left him off of the list completely as it has been nearly impossible to track his progression (or lack thereof) due to his injuries, and loan situation.
But yeah, we probably have the worst group in the league all things considered.
i doubt that i'd say we're middle of the pack. We might not have the top end some teams do but we have depth at every position
Kassian (a top young pwf)
Tanev (NHL ready puck mover)
Lack (top 3 AHL goalie)
Jensen (another top young pwf)
Schroeder (great 2 way fwd progressing like CoHo)
Connauton (PP QB AHL All Star)
McNally (a top NCAA offensive d-man and is in his freshman year)
Cannata (a top NCAA goalie)
Rodin (good 2 way foward)
Corrado (a top OHL defender)
Labate (almost a ppg pwf in the NCAA as a freshman)
Sweatt (good checker with speed like Raymond)
Sauve (good shutdown defender who can hit)
Polasek (good 2 way defender)
then we have some projects:
Friesen (top OHL defensive foward) who could turn into a Pahlsson or Malhotra
Archibald (gritty big pwf) could be a gem if he works on his skating and effort as those are the only things holding him back
Honzik (raw goalie plays similar to Rinne) 1st year he's ever had a goalie coach so he's only going to improve
Grenier (decent pwf in the QMJHL) has speed size and hands, just raw and inexperienced.
Blomstrand (gritty checking line foward) developed an offensive game in jr Swedish league but has yet to show it in the SEL since being moved up.
Definately not as bad as u say we are. We've got 3 great offensive/2 way d-men. A couple decent defensive d-men who have hard shots that they could play on the PP too. Then we have 2 of the best goalie prospects when we don't even need young goalies because of Schneider. Have some good young pwf and 2 way fowards. Last but not least we have a few projects that if we get lucky like other teams could pan out but at worst a couple could still make the NHL in bottom 6 roles
Last edited by Silverback91: 03-24-2012 at 01:59 PM.
Kadri
Blacker
Ashton
Colborne
Ross
Biggs
Frattin
Percy
Granberg
Holzer
HM: D'amigo, Leivo, Owuya
Weakness - lacking potential #1 C
Strength - W, physical prospects, D
Blacker has been one of my favourite prospects since being drafted. Had a strong training camp last season and plays a similar game as Gardiner while being better defensively, slightly worse offensively. Uses his smooth skating and hockey IQ to his advantage.
Ross has the pesky physical presence that is common in only a select few players throughout the league. Has the heart, the drive, and the willingness to be a Tucker-lite in the future.
Granberg i have limited viewing of however, every time I watch I'm amazed. Gunnarsson type defensive D.
Do you think Burke drafts positionally this year? I know he always says he'll take the best player available, but I agree with your assessment. Thoughts?
Top10:
Jakob Silfverberg
Calle Järnkrok
Elias Lindholm
Johan Larsson
Mattias Ekholm
Simon Bertilsson
Oscar Dansk
Sebastian Wännström
Christian Djoos
Niklas Svedberg
Do you think Burke drafts positionally this year? I know he always says he'll take the best player available, but I agree with your assessment. Thoughts?
If those 4 are off the board, I'd assume we'd take a d-man since they would be BPA - Burke probably likes Trouba so wouldn't be surprised to wind up with him
If those 4 forwards are off the board + the top d-men are gone (Dumba, Trouba, Murray, and Rielly).....I think then Burke would consider someone like Faksa or Gaunce
]i doubt that i'd say we're middle of the pack. We might not have the top end some teams do but we have depth at every position[/B]
Kassian (a top young pwf)
Tanev (NHL ready puck mover)
Lack (top 3 AHL goalie)
Jensen (another top young pwf)
Schroeder (great 2 way fwd progressing like CoHo)
Connauton (PP QB AHL All Star)
McNally (a top NCAA offensive d-man and is in his freshman year)
Cannata (a top NCAA goalie)
Rodin (good 2 way foward)
Corrado (a top OHL defender)
Labate (almost a ppg pwf in the NCAA as a freshman)
Sweatt (good checker with speed like Raymond)
Sauve (good shutdown defender who can hit)
Polasek (good 2 way defender)
then we have some projects:
Friesen (top OHL defensive foward) who could turn into a Pahlsson or Malhotra
Archibald (gritty big pwf) could be a gem if he works on his skating and effort as those are the only things holding him back
Honzik (raw goalie plays similar to Rinne) 1st year he's ever had a goalie coach so he's only going to improve
Grenier (decent pwf in the QMJHL) has speed size and hands, just raw and inexperienced.
Blomstrand (gritty checking line foward) developed an offensive game in jr Swedish league but has yet to show it in the SEL since being moved up.
Definately not as bad as u say we are. We've got 3 great offensive/2 way d-men. A couple decent defensive d-men who have hard shots that they could play on the PP too. Then we have 2 of the best goalie prospects when we don't even need young goalies because of Schneider. Have some good young pwf and 2 way fowards. Last but not least we have a few projects that if we get lucky like other teams could pan out but at worst a couple could still make the NHL in bottom 6 roles
Your depth does not make up for the huge lack of any even medium upside players. Easily bottom 10, probably bottom 5.
1. Vladimir Tarasenko - RW
2. Jaden Schwartz - LW
3. Jake Allen - G
4. Ian Cole - D
5. Phil McRae - C
6. Brett Ponich - D
7. Ty Rattie - RW
8. Dmitri Jaskin - RW
9. Evgeny Grachev - LW
10. Jori Lehtera - C
1. Vladimir Tarasenko - RW
2. Jaden Schwartz - LW
3. Jake Allen - G
4. Ian Cole - D
5. Phil McRae - C
6. Brett Ponich - D
7. Ty Rattie - RW
8. Dmitri Jaskin - RW
9. Evgeny Grachev - LW
10. Jori Lehtera - C
Personally, I see him as a good third line winger who can fill in on the second line. Pot in about 15-20 goals, 30-40 points and be reliable in his own end of the ice.
i doubt that i'd say we're middle of the pack. We might not have the top end some teams do but we have depth at every position
Kassian (a top young pwf)
Tanev (NHL ready puck mover)
Lack (top 3 AHL goalie)
Jensen (another top young pwf)
Schroeder (great 2 way fwd progressing like CoHo)
Connauton (PP QB AHL All Star)
McNally (a top NCAA offensive d-man and is in his freshman year)
Cannata (a top NCAA goalie)
Rodin (good 2 way foward)
Corrado (a top OHL defender)
Labate (almost a ppg pwf in the NCAA as a freshman)
Sweatt (good checker with speed like Raymond)
Sauve (good shutdown defender who can hit)
Polasek (good 2 way defender)
then we have some projects:
Friesen (top OHL defensive foward) who could turn into a Pahlsson or Malhotra
Archibald (gritty big pwf) could be a gem if he works on his skating and effort as those are the only things holding him back
Honzik (raw goalie plays similar to Rinne) 1st year he's ever had a goalie coach so he's only going to improve
Grenier (decent pwf in the QMJHL) has speed size and hands, just raw and inexperienced.
Blomstrand (gritty checking line foward) developed an offensive game in jr Swedish league but has yet to show it in the SEL since being moved up.
Definately not as bad as u say we are. We've got 3 great offensive/2 way d-men. A couple decent defensive d-men who have hard shots that they could play on the PP too. Then we have 2 of the best goalie prospects when we don't even need young goalies because of Schneider. Have some good young pwf and 2 way fowards. Last but not least we have a few projects that if we get lucky like other teams could pan out but at worst a couple could still make the NHL in bottom 6 roles
no way is that middle of the pack. a lot of guys who could turn out to be "nice" players, but no real top end talent, no one you could point to and say he's definitely gonna make an impact in the nhl. a lot of project picks too.
Switch up Tvrdon & Pulkinnen and it's spot on. If Ouellet has a good solid playoffs he'll find his way into my top 5. The other thing is most of our forwards have top 6 potential with 2 having top line, Nyquist & Jarnkrok.
Agreed. Everyone downplays Pulkkinen. Yeah he's had a sophomore slump but the info I've read is that he's been working on his upper body strength and skating.
Mark my word before he turns 28 he'll have a 40 goal season in the NHL
1. Vladimir Tarasenko - RW
2. Jaden Schwartz - LW
3. Jake Allen - G
4. Ian Cole - D
5. Phil McRae - C
6. Brett Ponich - D
7. Ty Rattie - RW
8. Dmitri Jaskin - RW
9. Evgeny Grachev - LW
10. Jori Lehtera - C
I'd have Rattie higher and Fairchild would make it over Jaskin and Lehtera at this point. A top-10 is a little unforgiving because the Blues' pool is very, very deep, so there are bound to be disagreements through the middle. As long as the important guys are on there, it's cool.
i doubt that i'd say we're middle of the pack. We might not have the top end some teams do but we have depth at every position
Kassian (a top young pwf)
Tanev (NHL ready puck mover)
Lack (top 3 AHL goalie)
Jensen (another top young pwf)
Schroeder (great 2 way fwd progressing like CoHo)
Connauton (PP QB AHL All Star)
McNally (a top NCAA offensive d-man and is in his freshman year)
Cannata (a top NCAA goalie)
Rodin (good 2 way foward)
Corrado (a top OHL defender)
Labate (almost a ppg pwf in the NCAA as a freshman)
Sweatt (good checker with speed like Raymond)
Sauve (good shutdown defender who can hit)
Polasek (good 2 way defender)
then we have some projects:
Friesen (top OHL defensive foward) who could turn into a Pahlsson or Malhotra
Archibald (gritty big pwf) could be a gem if he works on his skating and effort as those are the only things holding him back
Honzik (raw goalie plays similar to Rinne) 1st year he's ever had a goalie coach so he's only going to improve
Grenier (decent pwf in the QMJHL) has speed size and hands, just raw and inexperienced.
Blomstrand (gritty checking line foward) developed an offensive game in jr Swedish league but has yet to show it in the SEL since being moved up.
Definately not as bad as u say we are. We've got 3 great offensive/2 way d-men. A couple decent defensive d-men who have hard shots that they could play on the PP too. Then we have 2 of the best goalie prospects when we don't even need young goalies because of Schneider. Have some good young pwf and 2 way fowards. Last but not least we have a few projects that if we get lucky like other teams could pan out but at worst a couple could still make the NHL in bottom 6 roles
I got up to 8 in full detail for the Oilers and accidently closed the page ****
Rank (Position) Name - Upcoming Season Potential
1. (D) Oscar Kelfbom - 12/13 SEL Top pairing
2. (D) Martin Marincin - 12/13 AHL Second pairing
3. (C) Anton Lander - 12/13 NHL Checking Centre
4. (D) Martin Gernat - 12/13 WHL Second Pairing
5. (G) Tyler Bunz - 12/13 ECHL Number One
6. (L) Teemu Hartikainen -12/13 NHL/AHL Second Line
7. (D) David Musil - 12/13 WHL Third Pairing
8. (G) Olivier Roy - 12/13 AHL Back Up
9. (C) Tyler Pitlick 12/13 AHL Fourth Line
10. (D) Jeremie Blain 12/13 AHL Second Pairing
11. (R) Tobias Reider 12/13 OHL Second Line
12. (D) Brandon Davidson 12/13 AHL Second Pairing
I still hold out hope for guys like Hamilton, Cornet, Martindale, Plante, and Tuebert.
The Oilers are really weak with forwards in my opinion even though the popular belief is that they need to draft a defenseman desperately.
All of these are fair. I don't think Pitlick's ceiling is a 4th liner though. I see him more as a 3rd line RW.
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